Russia China Defend Iran’s Nuclear Program And Demand End of Sanctions
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
BEIJING (Worthy News) – The United States faces a setback in attempts to build new relations with Russia after Moscow and Beijing called for an end to the “unlawful sanctions” imposed on Iran.
Russia, China, and Iran expanded their cooperation over the weekend despite growing U.S. concern over Tehran’s nuclear program.
Senior diplomats from the three countries met in Beijing for a discussion on Tehran’s nuclear program after the West stepped up pressure on Iran, saying the Islamic Republic is “inching closer” to making a nuclear bomb.
Yet on Friday, China’s Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, and Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi disagreed with Western sanctions and concerns.
In a joint statement, they emphasized the “necessity of terminating all unlawful unilateral sanctions,” seemingly referring to U.S. and other Western economic penalties imposed on Iran’s imports and exports to prevent the country from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
They urged all “relevant parties to refrain from taking any action that would escalate the situation” and undermine diplomatic efforts, adding that dialogue should be based on “mutual respect.”
NUMEROUS DRONES
Iran maintains its nuclear program is peaceful despite enriching uranium to what experts call “near weapons-grade level.”
Russia, which has received numerous drones from Iran for its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, said it believes Tehran’s peaceful nuclear intentions.
“The Iranian side has never said a single word about intending to obtain nuclear weapons,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov argued in a separate statement. “In this respect, of course, all sanctions and restrictions are, in our view, illegal.”
Peskov stressed, “We believe that our Iranian friends have the right to develop a peaceful nuclear energy industry in their country. Russia is actively involved in this and is assisting our Iranian friends in this regard.”
Russia and China also praised Iran’s purported commitment to comply with its obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Safeguards Agreement to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.
After their meeting, Beijing and Moscow emphasized Tehran’s right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy should be “fully” respected.
‘ILLEGAL SANCTIONS’
On Thursday, Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, accused Western countries of spreading “false information” about Tehran’s nuclear program to impose “illegal sanctions” that have deprived Iran of essential medical supplies and restricted its exports.
“Despite these facts, certain Western countries, particularly the United States, Britain, France, and Germany, have persistently sought to create a false narrative about Iran’s nuclear activities, alleging non-cooperation [with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN’s nuclear watchdog] and military ambitions,” Iravani cloned.
Iran reached an agreement with the U.S., Russia, China, Britain, France, and Germany in 2015 to curb its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of Western sanctions.
However, Donald J. Trump pulled out of the deal in 2018 during his first term as president, saying Tehran could not be trusted.
The Russia-China-Iran meeting came at a time of escalating armed conflict in the Middle East, where Israel has also expressed concerns about Iran obtaining nuclear weapons.
While some analysts said the West should not be “scared of the Beijing talks,” the gathering came as a warning to the U.S. and its allies, according to a Worthy News assessment.
The Trump administration has made clear it wants to improve ties with Russia by ending the war in Ukraine and moving Moscow away from its reliance on China through economic and diplomatic means. Washington views China and Iran as a significant threat to the United States and its allies.
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